Awards and honors

2012-2014 – Academic Enhancement Research Award, National Institutes of Health

2012 – Distinguished Scholar Award, Des Moines University

2001 – International Exchange Travel Award (Shizuoka, Japan)

1997-2001 – Fellow of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of Japan

1996-1997 – Fellow of the Asian Youth Fellowship Program, Japanese Government

My laboratory is interested in various aspects of vascular biology, in particular vascular disorders associated with menopause, diabetes and hypertension. Calmodulin is the most important transducer of intracellular Ca2+ signals by virtue of its requirement for the functions of numerous cellular proteins and its insufficient expression for all its targets. Modulating aspects of calmodulin-dependent signaling thus represents therapeutic potential for many cardiovascular disorders. We use a combination of molecular, cellular and biochemical approaches coupled with multi-wavelength intracellular imaging techniques to investigate the mechanisms and therapeutic options for alterations in calmodulin-dependent signaling associated with menopause, diabetes and hypertension. Currently we are focusing on two main areas:

Regulation of GPER-mediated signaling in the vasculature by calmodulin: Despite the clear linkage between postmenopause and cardiovascular disease, hormone replacement therapy has not proven to be cardioprotective. The novel G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER, or GPR30) has been implicated in a vast array of cardiovascular functions, cancer, bone development, brain functions, and reproductive functions. Studies in this project aim at identifying GPER as a novel calmodulin-binding protein and test the overall hypothesis that GPER activation triggers in the vasculature feed-forward mechanisms that involve calmodulin both at the receptor level and downstream effectors, linking signaling pathways mediated by different estrogen receptors. The role of GPER in intracellular Ca2+ signaling and cell-cell interaction via modulation of calmodulin-dependent activities are also being examined. We are developing novel biosensors that allow studies of specific interactions between GPER and other binding partners. We expect that these studies will provide timely information that help form the basis for targeting estrogen receptor subtypes for preventive and therapeutic purposes. More information on this project can be found in the July 2013 (US Focus) issue (pp. 88-91) of International Innovation (http://www.research-europe.com/magazine/HEALTHCARE2/RR4/index.html).

Intercellular interactions in the control of vascular functions: Vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells are two principal cell types of vascular tissue. Interactions between these two cell types are essential in the coordinated regulation of vascular functions. We are investigating paracrine and autocrine mechanisms of intercellular interactions in the vasculature via calmodulin-dependent activities through which endothelial and smooth muscle cell functions are coordinated. Novel models of primary vascular cells for intercellular studies and intracellular imaging, coupled with other molecular and biochemical approaches are employed. These studies are expected to reveal novel mechanisms governing intercellular interactions in physiological processes such as angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, and disease states associated with endothelial regeneration following vascular injuries.

These studies are currently supported by the National Institutes of Health (HL112184) and the Iowa Osteopathic and Educational Research Funds (IOER-R&G).